Older Persons Who Are More Active Had Greater Quality of Life, Study Finds
A comprehensive study conducted by the University of Cambridge, involving nearly 1,500 adults, has revealed a strong correlation between reduced physical activity and lower quality of life among individuals over sixty.
The research findings also highlighted the negative impact of increased sedentary time, such as watching television or reading, on overall well-being. These results emphasize the need to encourage older adults to maintain an active lifestyle.
Benefits of Physical Activity
Engaging in physical activity, particularly of moderate intensity that elevates heart rate, is known to reduce the risk of various diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.
The National Health Service (NHS) recommends that adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week. Furthermore, older adults are advised to incorporate light activity or standing into their routines, effectively breaking up prolonged periods of sitting, as this has notable health benefits for this age group.
Led by a team of researchers at the University of Cambridge, the study employed accelerometers to monitor activity levels among 1,433 participants aged 60 and above. These individuals were part of the EPIC-Norfolk study, a more extensive investigation into the prospective impact of cancer in Europe.
Examining Health-Related Quality of Life
Simultaneously, the researchers assessed health-related quality of life, encompassing factors such as pain, self-care abilities, and mood/anxiety. Participants completed a questionnaire, with their responses yielding a quality of life score ranging from 0 (indicating the poorest quality of life) to 1 (reflecting the best). Lower quality of life scores have been associated with a higher risk of hospitalization, poorer outcomes following hospitalization, and premature death.
Six years after the initial assessment, men and women exhibited an average reduction of around 24 minutes daily in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Additionally, the total duration of sedentary behavior increased by approximately 33 minutes per day for men and 38 minutes per day for women.
Study about individuals who engaged in more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
The study found that individuals who engaged in more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and spent less time being sedentary during the initial assessment enjoyed a higher quality of life in subsequent years. Notably, an extra hour of daily active engagement correlated with a 0.02 increase in the quality of life score.
For each minute less of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity measured in the follow-up assessment, quality of life scores declined by 0.03. This implies that someone reducing their daily activity by 15 minutes would experience a decrease of 0.45 in their quality of life score.
Increased sedentary behavior also corresponded to a decline in quality of life, with each additional minute of daily sedentary time six years later resulting in a decrease of 0.012 in the quality of life score. Thus, someone spending an extra 15 minutes sitting daily would see their score decrease by 0.18.
Clinical context according to Dr. Dharani Yerrakalva
In a clinical context, a 0.1-point improvement in quality of life scores has previously been linked to a 6.9% reduction in premature death and a 4.2% decrease in the risk of hospitalization.
Dr. Dharani Yerrakalva from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Public Health and Primary Care emphasized the importance of remaining physically active and minimizing sedentary behavior at all stages of life, particularly in later years. These lifestyle adjustments have the potential to significantly enhance both physical and mental well-being, leading to substantial improvements in overall quality of life.
The researchers assert a causal relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and quality of life, as these factors were measured at different time points throughout the study.
Dr. Yerrakalva further explained that improved physical behaviors can positively affect maintaining a higher quality of life. For instance, increased physical activity can alleviate pain associated with common conditions like osteoarthritis. Additionally, being more physically active enhances muscle strength, enabling older adults to independently care for themselves. Furthermore, as depression and anxiety strongly influence the quality of life, engaging in more physical activity and reducing sedentary time can improve mental well-being.
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